What characterizes an exceptional exposure dive?

An exceptional exposure dive is characterized by diving deeper than 190 feet of seawater (FSW) along with a long decompression time. This level of depth involves more complex physiological challenges and risks, necessitating extensive decompression protocols to ensure the safety of the diver upon ascent.

Diving at such significant depths often exposes divers to increased pressures and potential for nitrogen narcosis, along with a greater need for meticulous planning concerning gas mixtures and dive profiles to mitigate these risks.

While other options may represent different diving conditions or parameters, none match the specific criteria of both depth and the associated decompression considerations that define an exceptional exposure dive. This distinction is critical for ensuring that divers are adequately trained and prepared for the risks involved in such dives.